And the Way to True Happiness
Damodar K. Mavalankar
Damodar K. Mavalankar, an advanced chela, was invited by the Mahatmas to live
in their Ashrams and left the outer world shortly after writing the present article
A 2013 Editorial Note:
“Real Knowledge” is reproduced from the book “Damodar and the Pioneers of the Theosophical Movement”, by Sven Eek, T.P.H., Adyar, 1978, 720 pp., pp. 515-517.
We include the word “try” in italics and square brackets in this decisive sentence:
“… The Mahatmas, who are conscious of the Logos, are in constant magnetic relation to those who succeed in extricating themselves from the lower animal nature; and, by evolving the higher manas (the mind, the fifth principle of the occultist), [try] to unite it permanently with buddhi and atma, the sixth and the seventh principles mentioned in the occult doctrine.”
Including the word “try” is an attempt to complete the sentence from the practical point of view of theosophical study. It is also meant as a stimulus to further research and meditation.
The fact is well-known that a magnetic relation exists between the Mahatmas and those who do their best in the direction of uniting their Manas (Mind), to Buddhi (Spiritual Soul).
A permanent union of these two principles, however, emerges as the result of many successive attempts, each one tending to be a little more effective than the previous one.
A second possibility exists for “mending” the sentence for practical purposes in theosophical study. It consists in replacing the words “to unite” by the words “in uniting”. Then the sentence would read, and it would refer to highly advanced chelas, as Damodar Mavalankar himself undoubtedly was:
“… The Mahatmas, who are conscious of the Logos, are in constant magnetic relation to those who succeed in extricating themselves from the lower animal nature; and, by evolving the higher manas (the mind, the fifth principle of the occultist), [in uniting] it permanently with buddhi and atma, the sixth and the seventh principles mentioned in the occult doctrine.”
The unity of Manas and Buddhi seems to be a priority for disciples, and H. P. Blavatsky wrote in “The Secret Doctrine”:
“In the metaphysical sense the ‘Fire of friction’ means the Union between Buddhi, the sixth, and Manas, the fifth, principles, which thus are united or cemented together; the fifth merging partially into and becoming part of the monad (…).” (The SD, Vol. II, p. 247)
The short and axiomatic article below deserves careful reading. Damodar lived what he wrote about. His last paragraph, for instance, is premonitory of his retreat to the Himalayas, which took place after he received an invitation from the Masters. The text was written in February 1885, just before he left the theosophical scene in India to never come back.
(Carlos Cardoso Aveline)
Real Knowledge
Damodar K. Mavalankar
The important question: “What is Real Knowledge?” should be answered. Many people confound physical seeing with knowledge. They do not think deeply enough to discover that one may see a thing and not know it, while he may know a thing and yet not see it.
True perception is true knowledge. Perception is the capacity of the soul; it is the sight of the higher intelligence whose vision never errs. And that can be best exercised in true serenity of mind, as Mahatma K.H. observes: “it is upon the serene and placid surface of the unruffled mind that visions gathered from the invisible, find a representation in the visible world.” In short – as the Hindu allegory has it – “It is in the dead of night that Krishna is born.”
In Occultism, Krishna represents the Christ Principle; the Atma of the Vedantins, or the seventh principle; the Logos of the Christians – the Divine Spirit, who is the manifested Son of the unmanifested Father. In the dead of night, that is, when there is complete physical and mental rest, when there is perfect quiet and peace of mind. It is only then that the individuality of man – his higher nature – becomes a fit vehicle for the manifestation of The Word. This is what is meant in the Bible where it says that we must try to obtain “redemption through Christ”. The Divine Principle in man is indivisible; the human soul is universal. He who would live and enjoy eternal life must live in and unite the human soul with the Divine Principle. Therefore, a sense of personal isolation brings on death and annihilation, while genuine unselfish philanthropy places the individual in touch with the Divine Spirit, and thus gives him eternal life.
The Divine Spirit is all-pervading, and those who put themselves en rapport with the Divine Spirit are necessarily en rapport with all other entities who are also en rapport with it. Hence, the Mahatmas, who are conscious of the Logos, are in constant magnetic relation to those who succeed in extricating themselves from the lower animal nature; and, by evolving the higher manas (the mind, the fifth principle of the occultist), [try] to unite it permanently with buddhi and atma, the sixth and the seventh principles mentioned in the occult doctrine. It is by this means that the Mahatmas must first be known. What is a Mahatma? Is it his physical body? No! The physical must perish, sooner or later. But the Mahatma lives in his higher individuality and, to know him truly, he must be known through that individuality in which he is centered. The body is merely a fulcrum of the lever through which physical results have to be produced. But, for him, the body is like a house. He inhabits it so long as it serves his purpose.
Knowledge increases in proportion to its use. That is to say, the more we teach, the more we learn. In the same manner, the more that an organ is exercised, the greater is its functional activity increased; provided, of course, that too much is not expected of it at once. So also is the will strengthened, the more it is exercised; and the more one meets with temptation – which can only be possible if he lives with his companions – the greater opportunities has he of exercising, and thereby strengthening the will. In this process, there does come a time when the constitution of one is changed as to incapacitate him for work on the physical plane. He must then work upon it, through higher planes into which he must retire. But until that time arrives he must be with humanity, and unselfishly work for their real progress and advancement. This alone can bring true happiness.
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In September 2016, after a careful analysis of the state of the esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students decided to form the Independent Lodge of Theosophists, whose priorities include the building of a better future in the different dimensions of life.
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